PROPOSED “SKY-SCRAPER"

Taranaki Daily News, 2 November 1926, Page 10

PROPOSED “SKY-SCRAPER"

PROJECT IN MELBOURNE. BUILDING OF FORTY STOREYS. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Sydney, Oct. 21. The proposal for a 40-storeyed skyscraper in Melbourne is meeting with opposition. The advocates of the building, realising that, such a tall structure would not be allowed in the heart of the city, have selected a site in South Melbourne. There, ,they hope, they will be able to build unhampered by the city by-law which limits the height to 132 ft. But all sorts of protests are being made. Great interest is being taken in the matter, for it is obvious that it is a test case. If this giant building is erected, it will undoubtedly be the forerunner of many other skyscrapers. It has been contended for many years that the 132 ft. limit imposed by the Melbourne City Council ie a ridiculous one. Architects complain that it does not enable them to observe the best proportion in the structures erected by them, and it certainly prevents them installing many appliances used in tail American buildings. High-speed lifts, for instance, are impossible. A height limit of 200 ft. has been suggested as reasonable, especially in view of the great width* of the city streets. But the authorities are strongly against increasing the prescribed height, and the Town Planning Commission has set its face against the skyscraper idea. Secrecy is being maintained as to the purpose of the skyscraper.